Benefits to Trinidad

Project Purpose and Need: Interstate 25 is the major roadway facility through the City of Trinidad providing access south to Albuquerque, NM and north to Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Denver, CO. The purpose of the current I-25 reconstruction project is to replace the aging infrastructure through Trinidad and to provide a safe transportation system with acceptable access to and from the City. The need of this project arose out of several identified design deficiencies that result in unsafe conditions for the traveling public. Design deficiencies include inadequate stopping sight distance at various locations along the highway, deficient horizontal and vertical alignments with respect to current vehicle design speeds, inadequate interchange spacing and unsafe ramp geometry.

Benefits of this project to the City of Trinidad will be many. Along with the new infrastructure being designed/constructed to the latest geometric and safety standards, the new facility incorporates aesthetic features that tie into the City’s historical architecture and natural surroundings. The City’s famous bricks and the use of arches prevalent in the City’s architecture were incorporated into the design of the replacement viaducts; and final colors of the bridges, viaducts and retaining walls will match the surrounding stone bluffs.

Other benefits to the City as a result of the I-25 reconstruction project include upgrades to the Purgatoire River Park, extension of the Purgatoire River Trail, a new parking lot located under the viaducts, a new AMTRAK shelter, safety upgrades for City streets at several railroad crossings, and a noise wall located on the west side of I-25 from Commercial Street to Goddard Avenue.

Local Trinidad contractors and suppliers at work: Portland Cement Concrete Paving placed by Lawrence Construction and curb and gutter placed by Triple G Construction on Commercial Street. Both local concrete suppliers, Valco Inc. and Leone Redi-Mix are supplying concrete for the project. See also: Progress Photos

Economic Benefits: The presence of the CDOT I-25 Reconstruction Project in Trinidad is also expected to be of far reaching economic benefit to the city. There has been extensive small business outreach to create awareness of the contracting process.

Assistance in obtaining DBE and ESB Certification:
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) and Emerging Small Businesses (ESBs) have been encouraged to become certified and have been assisted with the application and certification process. In addition to one-on-one outreach, several seminars were held by CDOT to present the DBE and ESB certification process. This extensive and unique outreach program was awarded the Governor's Star Award for most creative and innovative project. Assistance with certification will continue to be provided throughout the life of the project. The number of certifications continues to be tracked.

Marketing Seminars:
Marketing Seminars were held free-of-charge to provide information and tips on how to effectively network, the importance of business cards, company brochures, messaging, and how to approach a prime contractor to be included in the proposal.

Road Construction Technology Program:
Trinidad State Junior College received funding for the Road Construction Technology Program. This program prepares the student for a broad range of technical skills applicable to many positions within the road construction industry. The students learn basic interviewing techniques, conflict resolution, how to interpret and use blueprints and drawings, heavy equipment operation, basic safety, basic math, introduction to hand and power tools, flagging and many other skills. We are tracking the number of graduates and how many of these graduates move on to better paying jobs.

Job Fairs:
Colorado Workforce Center along with Lawrence Construction held a job fair (Feb 8, 2007). Over 100 people attended and the number of hires are being tracked.

At the pre-bid meeting for the construction contract, a mandatory small business networking session was held. The prime contractors who intended to bid on the project were required to stay for a meet and greet session with local businesses. As a result, several small businesses from Trinidad and the outlying areas have been included on the project. This number could grow and is being tracked.

General Growth for Trinidad Businesses:
The small businesses that have received contracts through the prime contractor, who presented the successful bid, will be asked to supply information as to their growth as a result of the increased business.

Local businesses are being asked to provide information as to any increase in business they experience. For example, we are tracking the increase in night stays at hotels, motels and apartment complexes by construction workers.

There will be media placements, ads, columns and inserts, the costs paid to the local papers will be tracked as well.

Benefits of Noise Wall: A noise wall will be constructed as part of the I-25 Reconstruction Project along the west side of I-25 from Commercial Street to Goddard Avenue. This wall will serve to minimize highway noise for the adjacent properties west of I-25.

Traffic volume on I-25 is expected to increase over the next 20 years; without the wall the traffic noise for the residences on the west side of I-25 would increase. As a part of the environmental study and documentation for the I-25 Reconstruction Project it was determined a noise wall, as described above, will be a necessary mitigation measure for the residents of the City of Trinidad to minimize impacts to their everyday lives.

Wall aesthetics will match the retaining walls being constructed to the south for the I-25 Reconstruction Project. Schedule for construction of the wall is undetermined at this time; however the construction of the wall will be shortly after the reconstruction of southbound I-25 through the City of Trinidad.